A vehicle drove into a Mardi Gras parade Tuesday in Alabama, injuring multiple high school band members.

Fox 10 news reports 12 members of the Gulf Shores High School Marching Band have been taken to hospitals, including four in critical condition, after an SUV in the parade "plowed into" the students on a street at the Gulf Shores Mardi Gras parade. According to Baldwin County Schools, six students are middle schoolers and six are from the high school.

Advertisement

Officials said the vehicle was driven by a 73-year-old man, who is in police custody. There is no indication he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and they do no believe it was an intentional act. City spokesman Grant Brown said the band had just entered the street when the vehicle accelerated and hit the members, according to Al.com.

WKRG reports the vehicle was representing the Military Officers Association of America.

With multiple emergency services and law enforcement departments already a part of the parade, response to the emergency was quick. Other band members also helped the victims from underneath the van.

"Right now our thoughts and prayers are with the Gulf Shores High School family," Baldwin County Schools said in a statement. "We greatly appreciate everyone’s thoughts and prayers, especially for those who have been injured and their families."

Gulf Shores Fire Rescue posted a video of the band and the vehicle, which can be seen behind the students, before the crash on its Facebook page.

The city canceled the parade after the crash.

The incident comes just days after 28 people were injured when a drunken driver crashed into a crowd at a Louisiana parade.